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See the section on Safety and health to avoid electrocution!
A properly qualified electrician must check the building’s electrical system, repairing all components that may be damaged by water immersion or short circuits. The electricity supply to the property must remain switched off until all the relevant checks have been done.
As part of these checks junction boxes, socket outlets and in extreme cases light switches and ceiling roses should be examined for trapped water or moisture, especially those beneath suspended ground floors.
Modern wiring can withstand short periods of flooding but after long periods in water the insulation of cables may be compromised by water or silt. In this case wiring will need to be replaced.
When replacing wiring, sockets etc., it may be sensible to re-route cables to drop down from above to socket outlets on the ground floor. If there is a risk of further flooding in the future it is advisable to raise socket outlets to at least 900mm (3’0") above floor level on the ground floor.
Electrical equipment must be allowed to dry thoroughly and should be checked by a qualified repair person before use (consult your local Yellow Pages or the Yell.com Web site for contact details).
A temporary alternative electricity supply may be possible with a generator (see Safety and health for notes on safe use). Be aware that these may be in short supply following a flood, so share with neighbours where possible and only use essential electrical equipment.
20 November 2002